Billy's band will raise a smile

Natalie Walker

Music fans are in for an amusing night as former Catfish and the Bottlemen lead guitarist Billy Bibby bounces on the scene at a Preston nightclub with his jolly band.

Billy Bibby and the Wry Smiles will play in the Dark Room, at Roper Hall, on Friday September 30.
Billy, 26, of Accrington, parted ways with indie rock band Catfish and the Bottlemen in the summer of 2014 and after writing his own songs and touring, he recruited Rob Jones (lead guitar), Matt Thomas (bass), and Michael Pearce (drums) to form a new group.
He said: “We haven’t got an album out yet but we have released an EP and single so there are five songs out there for you all to get your nashers around.
“The EP was basically the first four songs I wrote after leaving Catfish so I felt was best to get them on the first EP.
“They are generally basic rock/pop songs with a slice of country. I recorded that with my new band The Wry Smiles once we formed and produced by Russ Hayes of Orange Recording Studios who is an absolute legend.
“There is a mixture of inspiration behind it but overall it is inspired by yours truly. I just wanted to write some heartfelt songs that can be understood by most people out there and to give a mostly happy vibe to each song so it makes you want to smile.
“There is one song that is a bit more 'sit and reflect' but I don’t write too many of them because I generally just want to make people bop when they listen to my songs.
“You can expect a whole lot of pyrotechnics. You do have fire extinguishers in the building right?

Billy Bibby and the Wry Smiles

"No, only kidding - just a good tight show that will make you bop most of the night and come away feeling good at what you’ve just witnessed and will hopefully want to come back again.
“I’m excited wherever I play. Having this job is awesome and you can’t complain.
“Preston is always good though and I hold many fond memories of playing there. We must have played at The Ferret 15 times and 53 degrees too many times, so I’d even go as far as to say Preston is the place I have played the most above any other city in the UK.”
Billy Bibby and the Wry Smiles will be supported by Fugios, Empire Police, Charlie and Pacific State.
For tickets, at £4, visit http://www.skiddle.com or pay £6 on door.
Doors open at 7pm.